Fast-growing low-cost airline Jet2.com has unveiled shock plans to launch nine new services to Europe from Manchester Airport.

The Leeds Bradford-based airline, which flies to 14 locations from Yeadon, is taking delivery of six Boeing 737 aircraft to serve the new routes.

It is hailed as the biggest commitment ever made to Manchester Airport by a scheduled airline and signals Jet2.com's ambitious expansion plans. The move comes on the back of an announcement that it is to increase capacity by nearly half on routes from Leeds Bradford next summer.

Today Jet2.com chief executive Philip Meeson said the move did not signal any intention to move the focus of the operation away from Leeds Bradford. He said Yeadon would remain the overall headquarters for the company.

The move will add an extra 200 employees to the business, part of Bournemouth-based transport plc Dart Group.

"Our base here at Leeds Bradford is our home," said Mr Meeson, who ruled out any move to the new airport being built in Finningley. "Leeds Bradford is where we started, it's where we're building a very successful low-cost airline from and it's where we will remain.

"Across the Pennines it's an entirely separate operation, just like our Belfast base. The Manchester hub will have its own aircraft, crew and support staff but operationally we will use Leeds Bradford as our HQ."

The services from Manchester will travel to Faro, Geneva, Malaga, Murcia, Nice, and Venice - all already served from Leeds Bradford. It will also fly to Budapest, Pisa and Valencia.

The first flights will be launched on December 1 and tickets, which start from £21, have already gone on sale.

Mr Meeson said: "At Leeds Bradford the vast majority of customers come from Yorkshire, with many more from outside the county, such as Teesside. We have very little traffic coming across the Pennines, so our base in Manchester will have a negligible impact on sales from Leeds.

"Jet2.com is not just here to stay, it's here to get bigger and better - we want more routes, we want more frequency and we want cheaper air travel for all."

Mr Meeson dismissed suggestions the move to Manchester was a "gamble", saying there were few low-cost carriers operating there and none based at the airport. He added that the move could create some new jobs at Leeds Bradford.